August 14, 2025

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE

This service was crafted by the Rev. Karl Heimbuck and the Rev. Shelli Latham and provided by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation (OPSF). Learn more about OPSF and their mission to support congregational leaders at opsf-omaha.org

PRELUDE                                                                                “Morning”                           Edward Grieg, arr. Juliano Molteni

WELCOME                                                                    Rev. Trip Porch

One: This is the day that the Lord has made

All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

*CALL TO WORSHIP 

One: There is a place where each bird’s beauty

All:    shimmers upon waters that give rest and food.

One: There is a place where tomorrow’s burdens

All:    bear no weight upon the possibilities of today. 

One: There is a place where still waters

All:   are ready to nourish parched hearts.

One: There is a place where God’s peace

All:    seeks our lying down.

One: There is a place

All:    and that place is God’s creation.

One: There is a place

Many: and that place is here. 

*HYMN #15                   “All Creatures of Our God and King”                     LASST UNS ERFREUN

                                                                                                       (verses 1&2)        

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                        Chris Dent

Creating God, you made the wild spaces of forests and oceans, mountains and plains. You made our own hearts. Creation sings your praise with its every breath. Trees sway to the melody of your breeze. Waves crash and roll in the power of your pull. We are not so faithful. Rather than join creation’s praise, we silence it. We lay waste to the work of your hands in hopes that our hands will have too much to hold. Have mercy upon us. By your Spirit, guide our wild hearts back to you that they may become wilderness spaces for rest and delight, not spaces torn apart for false gain. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE #15    “All Creatures of Our God and King”          LASST UNS ERFREUN

                                                                                                  (Verses 3&4)

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                       

     One:   The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

     All:      And also with you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                     Trip Porch

INTRODUCTION TO THE LESSONS & CAROLS

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

HYMN 14                                   “For the Beauty of the Earth”                                                     DIX   

SCRIPTURE READING ONE    Job 38:1-15 (adapted from CEB version)

CONFESSION ONE          Accra Confession 5 & 6 (adapted last line)

HYMN 20                         “All Things Bright and Beautiful”                                              ROYAL OAK
SCRIPTURE READING TWO — Job 38:16-20,25-35 (adapted from the CEB version)

CONFESSION TWO Accra Confession 17
HYMN 761                         “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”                                    BEECHER 

SCRIPTURE READING THREE — Job 38:36-41, 39:1-8, 26-30, 42:1-2 (adapted from The Message) 

CONFESSION THREE                  Accra Confession 20 & 22

HYMN 713                                    “Touch the Earth Lightly”                                          TENDERNESS

Ordination and Installation of Karen Crockett as Elder

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  

TIME OFFERING   online giving is available at  www. indianolapres.org/give

OFFERTORY                             “O Rest in the Lord” from Elijah                                   Felix Mendelssohn

                                             Kya Angle, alto; Emily Foster, piano

*OFFERTORY RESPONSE #15      “All Creatures of Our God and King” (Verse 6)

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Generous Creator, since the beginning you have blessed us with a creation whose beauty inspires wonder and reveals the graces of your own heart. May the gifts we return in thanksgiving uphold this beauty from devastation and preserve the wild spaces where the peace of Christ and solace of the Spirit are so often found. Amen. 

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE                                 “For the Beauty of the Earth”                    arr. Amanda Tero

Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452